Democrats urge gubernatorial run by House Speaker

04/28/08 6:34AM

House Speaker Gaye
Symington got a rousing reception from Vermont Democrats at a party dinner over
the weekend, with former Governor Madeleine Kunin and others urging her to run
against Governor Jim Douglas.

Symington got a
standing ovation Friday night at the ninth annual Curtis Awards dinner in Burlington, but she was noncommittal about running. The Jericho
Democrat says she won't decide whether to run until after the Vermont
Legislature winds up its 2007-2008 session, which could be this week.

Douglas is expected to seek his fourth two-year term in the
November 4 election. His only challenger so far is Progressive Anthony Pollina.

Pollina also
attended Friday night's event, but wasn't introduced from the stage and got no
crowd chants urging him to run. Neither did former diplomat Peter Galbraith,
who has also said he may run.